Drunk driving cases soar 45% to 448 in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad on New Year’s Eve

Pune: At 448, drunk driving cases skyrocketed by almost 45% in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad limits this New Year's Eve as compared to the last, casting serious doubts on the effectiveness of police crackdowns against motorists driving under the influence of alcohol, especially since the celebration fell on a weekday.Senior police officers, however, attributed the surge in cases to intensified checks across the city. "We conducted nakabandi operations at major junctions and key entry and exit points. Thirty special nakabandi spots were set up to catch drunk drivers. In addition, special teams were deployed in politically sensitive areas, equipped with breath analysers," additional commissioner of police Manoj Patil told TOI.
Police records revealed that of the 448 cases, 208 were registered in Pune city and 240 in Pimpri Chinchwad. In comparison, last New Year's Eve saw 310 cases — 85 under the Pune police jurisdiction and 225 under their Pimpri Chinchwad counterparts."Our teams closely monitored areas like Kalyaninagar, Kharadi, Yerawada, Koregaon Park, Mundhwa, Kondhwa, Deccan, Baner and Sinhagad Road, which have a high concentration of restaurants, bars and pubs. Thankfully, no major incidents occurred. We checked four-wheelers, including luxury cars, to catch drunk drivers. We had also requested pub, restaurant, and bar owners to arrange drivers or cabs for intoxicated customers," Patil said.The additional commissioner of police said teams also acted against rash driving and triple-seat riding. "Some offenders were issued notices, while others were taken to Sassoon General Hospital for medical checks. Legal action will follow if necessary," he said.In Pimpri Chinchwad, drunk driving cases rose from 225 last year to 240 this year. Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Vivek Patil said, "We set up 47 checkpoints at key junctions, deploying officials from 13 traffic divisions. We caught 240 offenders, including 220 motorcyclists and 20 car drivers, driving under the influence."Residents flag concernsBavdhan resident Shekhar Kulkarni said he saw youngsters speeding on internal roads while returning home after New Year celebrations. "Police were focused on main roads, leaving bylanes unchecked. Fortunately, no mishap occurred," Kulkarni said.Mukund Arya from Kharadi, who returned from Mulshi around 2am on Thursday, said, "Though our vehicle was checked at two points, police ignored triple-seat riders and speeding vehicles."Erandwane resident Sayalee Kulkarni said FC Road was so crowded that walking was a challenge, let alone enjoying the countdown. "It felt like the entire city had gathered there. The atmosphere was festive, but a few instances of misbehaviour spoiled the experience for many," she said.Traffic near Balewadi High Street came to a standstill because people kept stopping in the middle of the road to take selfies. "A short stretch turned into a long, unnecessary jam," Amruta Bhatia from Aundh said.Shivajinagar resident Anita Kulkarni said she stayed home on New Year's Eve and invited a few close friends over. "Everyone preferred taking cabs instead of driving themselves, mainly due to drink-driving awareness and police checks across the city. I didn't step out at all since January 1 was a working day for me," she said.Subdued celebrations This year's overall response was relatively subdued, primarily because New Year's Eve fell on a working day, Amit Sharma, past president of the Poona Hoteliers' Association, said. According to him, most establishments witnessed dining-focused business rather than large party crowds, making the turnout satisfactory at best. "A few hotels even opted to cancel celebrations due to weak demand and high operating costs, including music copyright licensing. Where commercial viability was lacking, many made this decision just a day or two before the event. Footfall was nearly 25% lower compared to last year, influenced by the midweek factor and stricter emphasis on road safety and compliance," Sharma said.He said while music copyright compliance remained essential, the current structure — with multiple agencies and overlapping charges — made hosting such events financially challenging, especially in a muted year. "A streamlined, single-window licensing system or rationalized fee structure could significantly help businesses remain compliant while ensuring fair compensation for copyright holders. On a positive note, guests showed greater responsibility this time, with many avoiding self-driving and opting for cabs, reflecting the growing impact of awareness campaigns and safety initiatives," Sharma added.Excise dept raids flat for rule violationsPune's New Year revelry hit a fever pitch with the state excise department issuing a staggering 3 lakh drinking permits in just three days, fuelling the city's party frenzy. From glittering rooftops to swanky lounges, 125 private parties sprang to life, each armed with official liquor permits to keep the spirits flowing.But the celebrations took a dark turn in the early hours of Thursday. Acting on a tip-off, excise officials stormed a plush apartment on North Main Road, uncovering an illicit bash that defied every rule in the book. Inside, chaos reigned — 71 revellers, including nine minors, were rounded up as stunned music faded into silence."The flat was rented through an online platform," superintendent Atul Kanade of the state excise department said, his team still tallying the fallout. The haul? Liquor worth over Rs 15,000. The mastermind? A 22-year-old from Kharadi who brazenly promoted the event on social media, charging Rs 800 per head for entry into his underground soirée.(With inputs from Neha Madaan & Anjali Jhangiani)